Louth woman ‘distraught’ after falling victim to phone scam

James Silcocks

A woman in Louth was deceived into transferring large amounts of cash after receiving convincing calls from individuals claiming to be fraud investigators and Police Officers.

In this incident, which was uncovered on Wednesday (December 9), a man called the Louth resident and told her he was from Fraud Visa in Scotland and that he was investigating a suspected fraud in her local bank.

The woman was then transferred to a man claiming to be a Police Sergeant, who gave her details for a bank account and asked to to transfer money into it.

The victim said: “I feel as though these people have cut me open, taken everything out, and left nothing behind. I feel invaded and abused.

“There was absolutely nothing to suggest they were not genuine when they called. They knew things about my recent transactions that I thought only the bank would know”.

Investigating officer, DC Kara Nicholson, said: “These men are convincing and devious and it isn’t just money that they steal. They take away their victim’s confidence and trust in everyone around them and the impact of this can be very difficult to recover from.

“Please be aware that anyone investigating a fraud would never, ever ask you to transfer money.

“If you have any doubts as to the authenticity of any caller, seek the advice of a friend or neighbour and call 101, but from a different line. Please help us get the message out so it is not your friend or neighbour who suffers next at the hands of these criminals.”

A man has been arrested, questioned and bailed by a neighbouring police force in relation to this and other offences.